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Quantum Mechanics Involved In Photosynthesis

Kristina at Science News writes "We all learn about photosynthesis in school: sunlight in, plant food out. Not well understood is how this process achieves its initial and uniquely high efficiency in capturing the energy of a photon. Quantum mechanics may be at work in the electron transfer process inside chloroplast, giving electrons the chance to consider many paths at once before choosing the best one."

13 of 137 comments (clear)

  1. The more important question by bonch · · Score: 2, Funny

    Is there any way to incorporate string theory, membranes, dimensions, time travel, or wormholes into this explanation? Kaku has some speaking engagements and needs some buzz words along with the usual Star Trek references.

  2. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 4, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  3. Re:That's Some Mighty Fine Learnin' Kristina by eln · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's been a long time since I've taken a biology class, but the way I remember it is the sunlight hits the plant and the plant makes food with it, like tacos. Also, I think some birds fuck some bees or something. It's all very confusing.

  4. Quantum Mechanics by prakslash · · Score: 4, Funny

    Is it just me or is everything now being explained through Quantum Mechanics?

    Don't understand why people make irrational decisions?
    Quantum Mechanics may be at work.

    Don't understand how photosynthesis happens?
    Quantum Mechanics may be at work.

    Don't understand contradictions in quantum mechanics?
    Well, that is because sub-atomic paticles may have free will?

    Can't we just credit God or something?

    1. Re:Quantum Mechanics by BJ_Covert_Action · · Score: 2, Funny

      Can't we just credit God or something?

      We do, its called the Higg's Boson....haven't you been paying attention? Sheesh...

  5. Way to go, scare away the female by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    People like you are the reason geeks never get laid.

  6. Re:That's Some Mighty Fine Learnin' Kristina by sdguero · · Score: 3, Funny

    In outdoor school we learned with the jingle bells rhythm:
    Xylem up.
    Phloem down.
    Oxygen release.
    Oh what fun it would be if I could be a tree!

    Or something like that...

  7. Well, duh. by Sans_A_Cause · · Score: 4, Funny

    We've been teaching that in physical biochemistry courses for decades. With examples. This is like saying "gravity may be at work in planetary orbits."

  8. Re:That's Some Mighty Fine Learnin' Kristina by Translation+Error · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ah, yes... I remember being told about that last part in The Talk from my parents. I was afraid to go outside for weeks.

    --
    When someone says, "Any fool can see ..." they're usually exactly right.
  9. At Last! proof of the non-existance of God by Rene+S.+Hollan · · Score: 3, Funny
    God: "I refuse to prove I exist, for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing."

    Man: "Ah, but look at quantum photosynthesis. That something so incredibly convenient to life (plant and herbivore and omnivore animals) should arise by accident is inconceivable. It proves you exist, so therefore you don't."

    God: "Oh dear, I hadn't... <logic>puff</logic>

    --
    In Liberty, Rene
  10. Shouldn't we be terrified now? by SnarfQuest · · Score: 2, Funny

    Quantum mechanics has something to do with nuclear bombs, don't it? Shouldn't we be screaming in panic, that our plants might explode like a nuclear bomb at any second? You can't trust those plants, sitting creepy still all the time, plotting our nuclear destruction all the time. We should destroy them all, before they get us!

    Oops, forgot to take the blue pill. Take the blue pill now, not the red one.

    --
    Who would win this election: Andrew Weiner vs Andrew Weiner's weiner.
  11. Re:Srsly? by jd · · Score: 2, Funny

    I dunno. More people seem to be interested when the guy has a magician's hat than a scientist's lab coat.

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
  12. Re:Quantum mechanics may be at work by Bemopolis · · Score: 5, Funny

    In other news, Kansas has passed legislation to allow the teaching of alternate theories of photosynthesis, including Intelligent DeShine. This theory argues that plants produce food from sunlight by the mediation of "christons", which have the mystical property of being three particles in one, allowing them to convert the sunny warmth of the 6000-year-old Sun into original sin-free gluten.

    You didn't think the Eucharist was made out of wheat by accident, did you? Heathen.

    --
    "I guess the moral of the story is, don't paint your airship with rocket fuel." -- Addison Bain